Overview & Highlights:
- Visit the imperial city of Meknes and its ancient Medina.
- See Bab Mansour gate and Lhdim square in Meknes.
- Stop by the royal stables in Meknes.
- Visit the mausoleum of My Ismail in Meknes.
- Explore the small holy town of My Idriss.
- Discover Volubilis, the site of the old Roman ruins.
Itinerary:
After picking you up from your accommodation in Fes at 8H Am, we will start our wonderful journey driving by an SUV or Mini Van with A/C toward Meknes, one of the four Moroccan imperial cities, which was the capital of Morocco from 1672 to 1727 under sultan Moulay Ismail. Where you will be able to tour the city and explore its ancient Medina with its square called “Lhdim”. See Bab Mansour, which was built with marble columns token from nearby Volubilis.
And stop by the Royal Stables, which once held the sultan’s 12,000 horses, each with its own groom and slave to attend to its every need. As well as Visiting the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, one of only three active Moroccan shrines that non-Muslims may enter. In spite of his excesses, Moulay Ismail is fondly remembered for bringing peace and prosperity, and driving out Spanish and British forces. In the afternoon you will have lunch in a local restaurant in the Medina. Next we will head up to the north to discover Volubilis the site of the ancient Roman ruins dates back to 3 BCE, when it was the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania. The Roman rule began in the 1st century CE, and continued until it fell to the local Berber tribes in 285 CE. The remains of many ancient structures are still being excavated, as well as the triumphal arch still standing.
There are several large mosaic floors still fully intact, and they will still reveal vibrant colors when wet. Not far from Volubilis you will explore the holy town of Moulay Idriss which is famous for being the site of the tomb of Idriss 1st, the first major Islamic ruler of Morocco, after whom the town is named. Then driving back to Fes where our wonderful day unfortunately ends.